The three-door model, revealed at the Monza Grand Prix circuit, replaces the retired i20 as manufacturers build to 2017 WRC regulations, including a 36mm restrictor that produces 376bhp.

"[This new era] is a great new technical challenge and one that we have tackled with enthusiasm," Hyundai Motorsport team principal Michel Nandan said. "It's an opportunity to put into practice everything we have learned and experienced in the past three seasons. All teams are starting from scratch so we are on equal footing."

"We aim to be champion," added Hyundai Motorsport president Gyoo-Heon Choi. "We are taking this very seriously and want to be at the top. Hyundai Motorsport is investing heavily into making this work, and after three years we feel very strong."

Hyundai returns its full driver line-up of Thierry Neuville, Haydon Paddon and Dani Sordo and co-drivers Nicolas Gilsoul, John Kennard and Marc Marti.

The i20 has undergone more than 4,000 hours of testing, Autocar reports. Competitors Citroen and Volkswagen revealed their 2017 cars this past spring, although VW has since confirmed its exit from the series in order to focus its efforts on customer-based competition.